Crossword Genius

Gentle lie acted badly (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

delicate

'gentle' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'lie acted badly' is the wordplay.
'badly' is an anagram indicator (letters in the wrong order).
'lie'+'acted'='lieacted'
'lieacted' with letters rearranged gives 'DELICATE'.

(Other definitions for delicate that I've seen before include "Soft" , "Very fine or easily broken" , "Exquisite; needing tactful handling" , "Fragile - tactful" , "Dainty - fragile" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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